The calendar marks the 31 March as a key date to reflect on the security of digital information: the World Backup DayThis annual reminder was born with a very clear objective: to raise awareness about the importance of carrying out regular backups that prevent data loss, both in personal and professional environments. In a context where any file can be essential, from family photos to financial records, having a reliable backup has become a practice essential.
The digitalization of everyday life and the widespread use of remote work, the use of SaaS services, and the dependence on smart devices have increased the risks of sensitive data being compromised. Cyberattacks such as ransomware, accidental deletions or hardware failures are just some of the dangers that threaten the integrity of our insightsDespite this, thousands of people and organizations still don't implement effective backup policies or make any backups at all.
Why is a backup so important today?
Data loss can mean important consequences at the economic and reputational levelIn fact, security reports point to a 44% increase in cyberattacks on companies over the past year. Ransomware, phishing, accidental leaks, and malware are some of the most common threats. In this context, Digital resilience begins with a good backup plan.
The numbers don't lie: one in three people don't make regular backups and more than 4% don't even know what they are. Furthermore, only 10% of users make backups daily. These habits, added to the false sense of security provided by some cloud systems can lead to permanent loss of critical data. Therefore, it is important not to delegate this responsibility entirely to platforms such as Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, whose recovery functions have limitations.
It is no longer enough to make an occasional backup.The trend is toward comprehensive protection systems capable of ensuring that, in the event of any failure, recovery is rapid, complete, and error-free. This need has led organizations such as the European Union to establish demanding regulations, such as the DORA (Digital Operational Resilience Act), which requires certain sectors to recover within two hours of an incident.
Effective strategies: rules for a well-done backup
One of the most well-known tactics by cybersecurity experts is the 3-2-1 rule, which consists of:
- 3 copies of all important files
- 2 different storages (e.g., physical disk and cloud)
- 1 copy outside the main environment, ideally disconnected or external
In recent years, this formula has evolved into a more robust version: la regla 3-2-1-1-0, which adds an immutable copy and integrity check to ensure there are no errors when restoring data.
In addition, perform periodic restoration tests It's key to confirm that backups are working properly. It's not enough to simply store files; you have to ensure they can be recovered within reasonable timeframes. It's also recommended to establish defined roles, automate backups, and educate both users and employees about what information is protected and what to do in the event of a failure.
Tools and solutions available on the market
The growing demand for secure solutions has prompted many technology companies to develop innovative approaches. For example, some brands offer External hard drives such as Toshiba's Canvio Flex, which allows you to make backups even from your smartphone. There are also automated systems that integrate immutable copies and encryption with multi-factor authentication.
For their part, providers such as Synology or Veeam suggest implementing centralized control panels, automated testing, and rapid incident recovery. This is vital in regulated sectors such as finance, where downtime can generate losses in the millionsThere are even specific SLAs that guarantee restorations in less than two hours after ransomware attacks, accompanied by included technical support.
Regardless of the tools chosen, the ideal approach combines local solutions (hard drives, SSD drives, NAS) with remote storage (cloud services, network backups, alternative physical spaces). This diversification compensates for the slight weaknesses of each system and provides the user with greater tranquility.
Common mistakes and how to prevent them
One of the main risks remains the human factor. Errors such as clicking on malicious links, forgetting to back up your devices, or leaving them unprotected and encrypted increases the chances of loss. This is essential here. promote internal education and cross-training between IT and computer security departments.
Another common error is lack of maintenance of the recovery plans. Auditing the procedures quarterly will ensure that they are updated in the face of new threats or platform changes. Furthermore, many believe that the cloud solves everything, when in reality it's just another cog in the protection system.
Some people even make a single copy and store it in the same physical location, making a basic mistake. If that disk is damaged or stolen, all the data is lost. Therefore, geographical redundancy It is another recommended measure, especially for business people and professionals.
Information protection should not be seen as an unnecessary expense or a technical task exclusively for experts. On the contrary, it is part of the good daily practices that allow us to deal with any unforeseen digital incident with greater confidence. And if there's a date to remember, it's March 31st, an opportunity to review whether our data is truly secure or still at risk due to a lack of foresight.